Automatic carrier



Patented unie 11.1-, r19.21.

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M. H. LoUGHR-mes. AUTOMAUC CARRIER.

: APPLICATION FILED MAR-13,1919.

PatenteaJune 14, 1921.

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AUTOMATIC CARRIER.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. Is. I9I9.

Patented e111116414, 1921 5 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

M. HI LOUGHRIDGE.

AUTOMATIC CARRIER, APPLICATIONYHLEDMAR.13,1919.

7m I w87 l v v Q z r 5 (77 93d y 'fz o ffy/5' @rez/i54- A Patented June14, '1921.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MATTHEW H. LOUGHRIDGE, 0F BOGOTA, NEW JERSEY.

AUTOMATIC CARRIER.

Application filed March 13, 1919. Serial No. 282,412.

To all whom it may concer/n:

Be it known that 1, MATTHEW H. LoUGH-' RIDGE, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Bogota, in the county of Bergen and State of NewJersey, have invented a new and u seful system of Automatic Carriers, ofwhich the following is a specification. l

This invention relates to railways and particularly to light railwaysand has for its objects a means for despatching cars or trains from anypoint of origin to any other predetermined point throughout aninterconnectingsystem of railroads without human intervention. Thisincludes a selective method of operating track switches in response topredetermined conditions set up by a compound selector as described inthe f ollowing specification and drawings in which Figure 1 is a sideelevation of the compound selector, Fig. 1aL is a detail, Fig. 2 1s asectional view and Figs. 3 and 4 are sectional details of the selector.Figs. 5 to 10 inclusive show the selector disks, Fig. 11 is a side viewot the cars and Fig. 12 is a planview of the current collectors. Fig. 13shows the wiring of the selector and Fig. 14 shows .the wiring of thetrack apparatus for operating the switches. Fig. 15 is a layout of aninterconnecting railway system and Fig. 16 is a detail of the switcharrangement.

This invention is a continuation in part of application Serial No.879.834 filed Dec. 31st, 1914. and includes'broadly the use of aselector carried by a moving train or car on whih a predeterminedcombination has been set up and means on the track for operating thisselector whereby any predetermined switch may be operated` also, thisinvention includes-the use of a compound selector for this purpose inwhich a series of predetermined combinations may be set up to operatecorresponding switches throughout the ditferent tracks of aninterconnecting system.v

The selector works on the group-combination principle, that is. thecombinations ot the selector are made in characterized groups, incombination so that a great variety ot effects can be obtained fromcomparatively few movements ot the apparatus. A multiple of thesecombinations is contained in each selector and may be manually adjustedto correspond with the operating conditions at predetermined switchesthus outlining the course ofthe car through an intel'- connectingsystem.

As shown in Fig. 1 the selector 101 con:

sists of a series of cylindrical disks contained between two 'end frames102 and held to gether by means of bolts 103, 104 and 105. The bolt 103forms the axis torthe combination disks 21 to 30 inclusive, also thestepping disks 110 and 111. It will be noted that these disks, with theexception of 111 lare duplicated in the combination cylinder.

113, 113a and 115 are the stepping magnets and 114 is the holdingmagnet, these are supported by the frames 107 and by the supportingcleats 133 from the bolts 104. A pipe spacer 108 may be used on the bolt105 as shown to keep the frames 107 in position.

These magnets are provided with pole pieces 121 in which the shuttlearmature 122 partially revolves lon the bearing strap 131. A retractingcoil spring 126 is provided to bringl the armature to the startingposition. To the armature is attached an arm 123 carrying the pawl 124which under the tension of spring 125 engages the teeth of steppingwheels 110 and 111 thereby causing these wheels to revolve progressivelyin response to the intermittent operation of the magnets.

The stepping wheel 111' shown in Fig. 3 is moved forward by the .actionof the coil sp1-ing 126, energizing magnets 115 simply moves the pawlback for the next step, the wheel 110 is stepped directly forward byenergizing the magnet 113.

Stepping wheels 110 are provided with a i resetting mechanism, as shownin Fig. 2,

consisting of a spring 142 supported by an arm 132L and geared to a drum143 around which the iiexible band 144 is wound. This puts a bias on thestepping wheel tending to bring it into Aposition where the piece 127engages the stop 128. This` therefore, is always the starting positionof this wheel.

In order that the progressive steps of these stepping wheels may beaccumulated it is necessary that a retaining or holding mechanism beprovided during the interval in which the pawl is moving back. I providethe mechanism shown in Fig. 4 for this purpose operated bv the magnet114. In this case the arm 139 attached to the armature 122 by theconnections 138 and 137 swings the shaft 136 supported bv the arms 132between the stops 140. This. in turn. moves the rrrm 135 carrying thepawl 134 into engagement with the teeth of the stepping wheels 110 andthereby holding these wheels in position against the bias of the settingmechanism while magnets 114 are energized.

The operation. of the selector consists in establishing a circuitbetweenl the binding posts 117 and 118, Fig. 1, through the selectordisks, this circuit is arranged to perform the desired function. Thecylinder of the selector consists of a number of longitudinal conductorsin circular layers divided into segments within the circle and each diskhas the means of interrupting'or controlling at least one of theselongitudinal conductors by its position, which position is adjustable.

Fig. 5 shows the left sidelof stepping disk A110 and the left side ofdisk 111 and Fig. 6

shows the right side of disk 110, all as arranged in Fig. 1. Thelongitudinal conductors are numbered 41 to 50 inclusive and areinsulated from each other. The side shown in Fig. 5 is placed againstthe insulated contact plate 119,- similar toFig. 1a, to which theblinding post 117 is attached. As the conductors are co-ntinuous on thisside, this plate makes connection with all of these conductors in anyposition. The longitudinal conductors are divided into segments as shownand indicated by the numerals 31 to l40 inclusive, the space between thesegments being about equal to the segments themselves; however. on theside` shown in Fig. 6 of the stepping disk 110 only one. segment 51 isrequired. The sides of the `combination disks, Figs. 8, 9 and 10, arealike. The contacting members are shown as flat-rings. In practice thesemay be constructed to give a contact in the form of a knife switch.

By referring to Fig. 8 showing disk 21 it will be noted that conductor41 appears in segment 31 only. This disk, therefore, con- -continuity ofall the longitudinal conductors except the one which it controls; thusall the conductors appear in each segment exceptone. It is moreovernecessary to preserve the individuality of each step of`l the steppingwheel on the combination disks. This is the object of dividing thelongitudinal conductors into-segments.

When segment 51, Fig. 6, of disk 110 is placed against segment 31 ofdisk 21 it is apparent that the continuity of all the conductors iscarried over to disk 22. or is, in

fact, the equivalent of placing segment 51 against disk 22 and if itengages segment 31 again it will be the equivalent of placing this diskagainst disk 23 and so on with relation to the remaining disks. It willbe noted these disks are assembled consecutively.

Now supposev that vthe combination disks are adjusted for a combinationso that when the stepping disks are on Zero or the starting positionsegment 31 does not coincide with segment 51. Suppose disk 21 is movedforward 3 steps and disk 22l is moved forward 3 steps and disk 23 ismoved 5 "steps, then it is apparent that the'main circuit through theselector` will be interrupted on conductor 41 except .for the intervalin which disk 110 rests on the third stepgalso the circuit willbeinterrupted on conductor 42 except when the disk rests on step 3, and itwill be interrupted on disk 23 except when the stepping wheel rests onthe fifth step, and so on throughout the selector. The segments, asstated, preserve the individuality, of the steps of the stepping wheel.It is not necessary, however, to'maintain this individual-v itybeyondthe disk where a lconductor is controlled. For instance,lconductor 41 is controlled -by disk 21, in the following disk 22,conductor 41 appears as a ring,'likewise in disk 23,' conductors 41 and42 are rin-gs, these conductors being controlled in previous rings thereis no further need to maintain their individuality.

The selector as shown in Fig. 1 consists of two banks of combinationdisks similarly numbered, the one being set up to operate in series withthe other. The face, Fig. 5, of the middle stepping disk 110 will carryover any circuit established in the first bank from terminal 117 tosegment 51 on the obverse side which is in position to effect thecombinations in the following bank in4 the manneralready explained. Fromthis it will be apparent that disks 21 inV both banks control conductor41; disks 22 control c o-nductor 42, disks 23 control conductor 43 an'dpossible to 5 obtain combinations in both banks of disks operatingtogether'in a group to` affect the main circuit and these combinationsare answered by the characteristics operating the two stepping disks110. Moreovertime becomes a factor in the operation of these groups asthe answering combinations Inust consummate simultaneously to establishthe main circuit. v

The combination disks can be adjusted by the knurled rings 108 tothe-combination desired. This is conveniently shown by the Series ofnumerals placed on the outside of each disk as indicated. Theparticularcombination s'et up may be read through an aperture 109 cut inthe cover'106, Fig. 1, the capital letters in each bank indicating thevarious combinations which will estab- Aso on for the remaining disks.Hence it is lish a circuit through the selector vthus over letter A inboth banks appears the numerals 3 3 and over letter B appears thenumerals 3-4`and so on, hence, when the first stepping wheel 110 makesthree Steps and the nextstepping Wheel makes 3 steps at the same time, acontinuous conductor will be established through both banks on conductor41. ln the same way conductor 42 will be continuous in both banks .whenthe first wheel has made 3 steps and the second wheel has simultaneouslymde'4 steps.

Ten segments are provided on each disk, this means ten'active positionsof the step'- ping wheel, hence, with two banks of combination disks itis possible to get 99 differvent combination with a total number ofsteps not exceeding the sum of these digits. Attenti on is hereicalled.to the fact thatl the selector is built on the multiple unit principleand is -capable of expansion indefinitely by the addition of similarparts. For instance to include another bank of combination disks to theselector it is simply necessary to increase the length of the rods 103,104 and 105 and insert another s tepping wheel 110 followed by thecombination disks between the end frames, the shaft 136 being extendedto carry another holding pawl for the new stepping wheel. This' selectorwith this addition would have a total of 999 possible combinations andthe movements of the stepping wheels would not exceed the sum of thesedigits.

Heretofore it has been shown that ten 1on- Ygitudinal conductors extendthrough the combination disks, each-disk controlling a differentconductor and any of these conductors -may establish the main circuitthrough the selector. It is necessary, however, that only one of theseconductors be effective at any one time and, moreover, it

is necessary under certain conditions that the effective conductor bechanged when it is desired to function'the selector under a differentcombination. These results are obtained by Vmeans ot the stepping wheel111, which prevents more than one conductor being in circuit at once andselects between the various longitudinal conductors.

Stepping wheel 111 is placed. at the end of the selector against the endplate and the face shown in Fig. 7A makes contact with the plate 120connected to thebinding post 118. The opposite or left side of this diskas arranged in Fig. 1. corresponds to that shown in Fig. 5, in which theconductors are in the form of continuous bands which maintain tliecircuit with 'disk 30 in any position, It will be observed from Fig. 7that one conductor in each segment appears on this face, these howeverbeing the termination of a different longitudinal conductor in eachsegment which appears in the'torm of a spiral y numbered 41 to 50respectively. Now the sion motor 205 as shown.

strip 120 is a solid piece of the same shape as indicated in Fig. la, sothat in any position ofthe stepping Wheel 111, only one ofthesecond'uctors can be in circuit and as the 'wheel is stepped aroundother conductors are brought into circuit.

It was previously explained that' disk 21 controlled .conductor 41, nowit stepping wheel'lll is inposition to make the circuit lbetween 41"and.120, then a circuit. will be established through the selector when thetions set up on the disks 22 and the corresponding number Iof steps ofwheels 110. This condition .is repeated for each of the other disks andit, ot' course, holds good throughout the number'ot banks that may be inthe selector. This makes a compound selector capable of responding -to avariety of different predetermined combinations arranged to functionprogressively.

One type of car or locomotive that may be used with this system isillustrated in Fig. 11. This car has a body 190 with a low center ofgravity and may be operated on self contained power or by power suppliedfrom a conductor. The selector 101 is shown in position. These cars areprovided with a plurality of current collectors, generally referred toas shoes 191, 192 and 193 Fig. 12. f

The electrical operation of the selector will be understood from Fig.13. current is collected on shoe 191 and by `wire 241 connects toterminal 117, main circuit of the selector. Also from shoc 191 by wire244 to magnet 113, wire 243 to magnet to coil 114a of holding magnet andwire 24'( to ground 206.

Shoe 192 may be connected tothe propul- Shoe 193 connects by wire 247,switch 249 and ivire 248 to magnet 113a and wire 246 to magnet coil 114band ground by wire 247. lVhen the main circuit is established throughthe selector from terminal 117 to terminal 118 wire 242 is energized.This energizes by wires 245. 246 to magnet coil 114'J and ground on wire24'( as before; this arrangement secures that when all or any of magnets113 and 115 are energized magnet coils 114a or 114b must be energized,or it provides Jfor the continuous energizing ot the holding circuit.The coils of the holding magnet 114, 114b are separated in thesecircuits to provide better operation. Then magnet 115 is energizedswitch 249 is opened and switch 250 is closed, thus disconnecting magnet113a and connecting shoe 193 with wire 242 controlled by the maincircuit of the selector.

T he track wiring for two switches is shown in F ig. 14. 201 representsa power Supply wire and also may be used as a block wire but thisinvention does not include a block system as it may be applied with anysystem in which the safe operation of cars is provided for. 202 and 203are the track rails. A source of power may be supplied between the powerwire 201 and the .track as indicated at 204. 211 is a motor arranged tooperate a switch mechanism 212 whereby cars may be diverted from themain track X to branch tracks 2/ or a. .These switches are so wired thatwhen the main circuit of the selector is established the switch is 'set`for the branchtrack, thus diverting the car to another line.

lVlien wire 227 is .energized a circuit is established through magnet2'13 and common wire 220 and 221 to track. This picks up the armatureclosing contact 231 forming a stick circuit from wire 228, contact 231,wire 226, Contact 217, wires 223 and 222 to battery 215 and wire 220to-relay 213, holding this relay energized. At the same time a circuitis established from battery 215, wire 222, contact 232, wire 234 tomotor 211 and common wire 220 to battery. This causes the motor tooperate the switch mechanism changing its position and on the completionof the stroke opening contact 217 which breaks the holding circuit anddenergizes this relay.` When the train passes onto a side track the shoe192 makes a circuit between wire 201 and 302 thereby energizing wire229, relay 214 and wire 221 to track. This relay is also operated onstick circuit from wire 230, contact 233 energized, wire 225, contact216 now closed, wire 224, wire 233 and wire 222 to bat-tery 215 andcommon wire 220 to lrelay 214,. An loperating circuit for the motor isalsoestablished from battery 215, wire '222, contact 234 wire 235 tom'otor and common wire 220 to battery, operating this motor in thereverse direction and placing the switch normal, to .be operated againwhen the proper combination is set up. The wiring for the two switchesis exactly alike except that in the switch to track a, wire 229restoring the switch is also extended by wire 229a to Contact 302aencountered before entering the switch and energizing relay 214 toinsure that it is normal before cars pass over it. The advantage of thestick circuit secured by relays 213 and 214 is that while these relaysare momentarily energized by the passage of a car. the relays maintain`the circuit of the motor until the switch 261-263 and 271-273 andenergized from 193 engages the`contacts in the row beginning with 261and shoe 191 engages con-' 'Y tacts in row beginning with 271, making acircuit with each contact as the car passes along the track. This willintermittently energize wire 244 and 247 thereby operating steppingwheels 110 of the selector. 'Resistances may be placed in circuit withthese wires as shown. when they are energized from the power mains. Thenumber of steps therefore which these magnets will make depends upon thenumber of contacts placed in each row ahead of a switch; the switch totrack y in the illustration having three energized contacts in each rowhas a combination 3 3. The switch to track z has five contacts in eachrow energized and its combination therefore is 5-5.

It will be noted that these contacts in each row are staggered withrelation to each other, for instance 271, and272 are placed opposite thegap between 261, 262 and 263 respectively, this, in effect, secures thateither shoe 191 or 193 is always energized and, consequently, holdingmagnet is always energized when a car passes over these contacts.Contact 269 to `which wire 227 is connected is insulated and no materialeffect is produced on magnets 113a or 213 when shoe 193 is on thiscontact unless a circuit 'has been established through the selector. Inthis latter case magnet 115 is energized, contact 249 is opened and 250is closed and shoe 193 is energized through the main circuit of theselector which in turn energizes relay 213 and operates the switch, theener coming from contact 273 and shoe 191. Now when the car passes offcontacts 269 or 273 magnet 115 is denergized, this moves stepping disk111 by one step changing the selector to operate upon a new combinationvA study of this operation will show that i a car will pass over switcheswithout effect.'

until it encounters one having the same combination of steps as thefirst disks of the selector have been set to, then it will operate theswitch mechanism and pass onto another track, at the same time changingthe selector to operate upon the" combinations set up on the next twodisks until it enf counters a switch having corresponding conf tactarrangements when it again operates the switch movement to pass ontoanother' trackl and changes the selector as before to operate .upon thecombination of the next two disks until another corresponding trackarrangement is encountered andso on throughout an interconnectingsystem. In each case the route selected being predetermined by thecombinations set up on the combination disks of the selector. The systemcontains means of restoring the switches to agree with the normaldirection of traf: iic after a car passes over them. The samearrangement may be providedor trailing switches although, under ordinaryoperation, cars may trail over these switches without any setting.

A complete interconnecting system operating by this method isillustrated in Fig. l5. Since this is primarily a light railway system,grade crossings are not contemplated as these can readily be eliminated.This diagram is a single line track plan in which the tracks areindicated by the letters a, to u respectively and the stations by thenumerals 53 to 65 respectively. The direction of traiiic, normally, isindicated by the arrowheads. This layout shows a trunk line z b crossingtwo main tracks c and ,c f 'at different points with various branchlines connected to these tracks. Switches are indicated by the numerals66 to 99 respectively and for the purpose ot explanation it is assumedthese numerals lare the combinations to which the switches will respond.Facing switches only are numbered, the normal position of these will bemore clearly understood by referring to the enlarged diagram in Fig. 16.

Suppose a car is to move from station' 53 to 54 over the trunk line a,all the switches are normally set for this route and the car will runover the route without the use of the selector, the same condition istrue for a run from station 54 to 53 over track b. This condition alsoapplies to a movement from to 56 over track c and from 56 to 55 overtrack (l, and these relations are maintained between stations 57 and 58over tracks e and f. That is, since the switches are set for the main`route normally, they do not have lto be operated except when divertingfrom this route.

Now suppose a car leaves station 53 with a destination 60, it will passover tracks a, c and y'. The first combination will be 6 8, divertingthe car from a to c, the next combination will be 8 2 diverting it fromc to which takes it to destination. In the same way, a car from station69 to station 53, will move over tracks 0, and b, the iirst switchoperated being 89 the next being 87 which leads to the main track bwhere no further switch movements are necessary. It a car moves fromstation 63 to 6l, it will move over tracks Q, 7), m, and 0, and thecombinations to operate the switches will be` 9 0, T T, 8 8. It shouldbe noted that the switches toward the most important points are normallyset for this direction, for instance it were such a Joint then switch 90would be normally set or track b and not operated for the abovemovement. Suppose now a movement is to be made from station 56 to 5T, itwill be over tracks, d, a, and' f, calling for combinations 8 4, 7 3. Ita movement is to be made from 64 to,59, it will be over tracks 71, e, d,and h, and will require combinations 9 2, 7 8 and 8 5, switch 99 beingnormally set for track e.

^ It will be noted that these routes can be selected with very fewcombinations of the selector and, in fact, a selector of the capacityshown'will control traii'ic over an extensive railroad layout and overunlimit ed distances.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

l. In a railway system, a track having responsive means, cars running onsaid track, aA device carried on said cars having a plurality ofselective members, means on said track at intervals for operating Saidselective members 'separately and coperatively whereby said deviceoperates said responsive means.

2; In a railway system, a track having responsive means, cars running onsaid track, a device on said cars having a plurality of moving selectivemembers, fixed members on said track at intervals arranged to operatesaid moving selective members separately and coperatively whereby saiddevice operates said track responsive means.

3. In a railway system, a track having a plurality of iixed membersdisposed at intervals, cars running on said track, a device on said carshaving a plurality of moving selective members, means for making aplurality of movementsof said members at each location inresponse tosaid xed track memf bers.

4. In a railway system, a. track having a plurality of fixed membersdisposed at intervals, said members having definite characteristics,cars running on said track, a unitary device on said cars having anultimate condition, and means for operatingl said device to saidultimate condition in re'- sponse to said characteristics.

5. In a railway system, a track having a plurality ot fixed members inparallel rows, cars running on said track, a unitary device `on saidcars having a plurality of moving members making coperative movementstoward lan ultimate condition, and means for operating said device tosaid ultimate condition in response to said iixed members.

6. In a railway system, a track having a plurality of ixed members inparallel rows, cars running on said track, a unitary des vice on saidcars having a plurality ot moving members making coperative movementstoward an ultimate condition, and means for operating each moving memberto said ultimate condition in response to track members in a particularrow..

7. In a rail-way system, a track having a plurality. of members inparallel rows, said members spaced t0 have defined characteristics, carsrunning on said track, a device onsaid cars having a plurality of Inoving members making coperative movements, and means for operating eachmoving member in response to the characteristics of the track members ina particular row.

l 8. In a railway system, a track having a plurality of fixed membersdisposed in spaced rows at intervals, cars running on said track, adevice on said cars having .a`

plurality of conductors and a movable member, and means for operatingsaid movable member in response to said track members,

whereby the arrangement of said conductors is changed.

9. In a railway system, atrackv having a plurality of' fixed memberswith definite characteristics'disposed in -spaced rows at' intervals,cars running on said track, a device on said cars having a plurality ofconductors and a movable member controlling said conductors, andmeansAfor operating said movable member in response to the characteristics ofsaid track members.

10.*In a railway system, a-track having a plurality of fixed` members inparallel rows, cars running on said track, a device on said cars `havinga plurality of conductors and a plurality of movable members movingtoward an ultimate condition and controlling said conductors, and meansfor operating each movable member in response to the track members in aparticular row.

11. In a-railway system, a track having a plurality ofyfiXed membersspaced in par- .allel rows arranged with definite characteristics, carsrunning on said track, a device on said cars having a plurality ofconductors and a plurality of moving members' controlling saidconductors, and means for operating each movable member in' response tothe characteristics of the track members in a particular row.

12. In a railway system, a track having fixed members at intervals, carsrunning on said track, a device on said cars having a plurality ofconductors, a pluralityof adjusting disks and a -movable membercontrolling said' conductors, and means for operating said movablemember in response to said track members.

13. In a 'railway system, a track having fixed members in parallel rows`said'members having defined characteristics, cars running on said trank,a device on said carshaving a plurality of conductors, a plurality ofadjusting disks and movable memberscontrolling said conductors, andmeans for operlating said moving said track members.

ating each movable member in response to the characteristics of thetrack members in va particular row.

14. In a railway system, a track having a plurality of fixed membersdisposedA in spaced rows at intervals, cars running on reffective onehonly of said conductors vat a time.

15. \In aI-railway system, a track having a plurality of membersdisposed at intervals, cars running on said track, a device on said carshaving a plurality of conductors divided into segments and movingmembers controlling said conductors, and means oper- 1ated bysaid trackmembers for establishing lthe continuity of one of said conductors.

` 16. In a railway system, a track having a plurality of fixed membersin` spaced relation, .said members arranged to have definedcharacteristics, cars running on said track, a device on said carshaving a. plurality of conductors, movable members controlling saidconductors, and means responsive to the characteristic of said trackmembers 'for establishing the continuity of one of said conductors.

17. In a railway system, a track having a plurality of members disposedat intervals, cars running on said track, a device on said cars having aplurality of conductors, a plurality of adjusting disks and movablemembers controlling said conductors, means for establishing thecontinuity of one of said conductors when the position of said movablemembers corresponds to the positionof a n Tilurality of.V membersdisposed at intervals,

vars running on said track, a device on saidcars having a plurality ofconductors, a plurality of adjusting disks progressively arranged, eachof said disks controlling a different conductor, a moving membercontrolling 'individually .the conductors controlled by each adjustingdisk, and means for opermember in response to' 19. In a railway system,a track having a plurality of members, cars running on said track, adevice on said cars having a plural-I- ity of conductors, a plurality`of adjusting disks, each of said disks controlling a difierentconductor, a moving member controlling lindependently the conductorscontrolled by each adjusting switch, means for making one conductoreffective ata time, and means-for operating said moving memberinresponse to said track members. v

20. In a railway system, a track having a plurality of members, carsrunning on said track, a device on said cars havinga plurality ofconductors, a plurality ot' adjusting disks arranged adjacently, each ofsaid disks controlling a different conductor and maintaining thecontinuity ofthe other conductors, a moving member, controlling saidconductors, and means for operating said moving member in response tosaid track members.

21. In a railway system, a track having a plurality of members, inparallel rows, cars running on said track, a device on said cars havinga plurality of 'conductors and a plurality otl groups of adjusting diskscontrolling said conductors, a movable member controlling the conductorsfor each group, and means for operating eachmovable member in responseto the track members in a parallel row.

22. 'In a railway system, a track lhaving a plurality of members inparallel rows, cars running on said track, a device on said cars havinga plurality ot' conductors and a plurality of groups of adjusting diskscontrolling said conductors, means for selecting one conductor to beeffective at a time, a movable member controlling the conductors foreach group, and means for operating each movable member in response tothe track members in one of said parallel rows.

23. In a' railway system, a track having a Y plurality of members inparallel rows, cars running on said track, a device on said cars havinga plurality of conductors and a plurality of groups of adjusting disks,said disks placed adjacently in said groups, each disk controlling adiii'erent conductor and maintaining the continuity of the otherconductors, a movable member controlling the conductors Jfor each group,and means for operating said mov'able member in response to the trackmembers in one of said parallel rows.

24. In a railway system, a track having a plurality of members inparallel rows, cars running on said track, 4a device on said cars havinga plurality of conductors and a plurality of groups of adjusting disks,each of said disks controlling a di'erent conductor in said groups.means for selecting one conductor to be effective at a time, a movablemember controlling the conductors -for each group, and means foroperating said movable member in response to the track members in one ofsaid parallel rows. l

25. In a railway system, a track having a plurality of members, carsrunning on said track` a device on said cars having a pluralityoicconductors, a plurality of groups of adjusting disks and a movablemember for each `group controlling said conductors, the continuity ofone of said conductors being established when said movable memberscorrespond to the position of said' adjusting disks, and means foroperating said movable members by said track members.

26. In a railway system, a track having al plurality of members, carsrunning 0n said track, a device on said cars having a plurality ofconductors, a plurality of groups of adjusting disks and a movablemember for each group controlling said conductors in series, and meansfor operating said movable members from' said track members.

27. In a railway system, a track havinor a. plurality ot' members, ca rsrunning on said track, a device on said cars having a plurality oconductors, a plurality ot' groups ot' adjusting disks and a movablemember for each group controlling said conductors, said movable memberplaced at the end of each group and operated by said track members.

28. 'In a railway system, a track having a plurality of members, carsrunning on said track, a device on said cars having a plurality ofconductors, a plurality of groups ot adjusting ,disks and a movablemember for each group controlling said conductors, means for continuingthe character of said control in each group, and means for operatingsaid movable members in response to said track members.

29. In a railway system, a track having a plurality of members, carsrunning on said track, a device on said cars having a` plurality ofconductors, a plurality of groups of adjusting disks similarly arrangedand a movable member for each group controlling said conductors, thecontinuity of oner of said conductors being established when saidmovable members correspond to the position of the correspondingadjustable switch Ain each group, and means for operating said movablemembers by said tack members.

30. In a railway system, a track having a plurality of members, carsrunning on said track, a device on said cars having a plurality ofconductors, a plurality ot' groups otadjusting disks and a movablemember ,for each group controlling said conductors,

said movable members operated independently by said track members.

3l. In a railway system, la track having members placed in rows withparticular characteristics, cars running on said track, a device on saidcars having a plurality ot conductors, a plurality of groups ofadjusting disks-'and a movable member tor each group controlling saidconductors' and means for voperating the movable member for each groupaccording to the characteristics of said track members.

32. In a railway system, a track having a plurality of members arrangedin a row` cars running on said track, a device on said cars having aplurality of conductors. a plurality of adjusting disks and a movablerio member controlling said conductors, and means for operating saidmovable member progressively in response 'to said track members.

33. In a railwaysystem, a track having a plurality of members arrangedin rows, cars running on said track, a device on said cars having a`plurality of conductors, a plurality of groups of adjust-ing disks and amovable member for each group controlling said conductors, and means foroperating each movable member progressively in response to the trackmembers in a particular row to establish the continuity'of one of saidconductors.

34. In a railway system, a track having i a plurality of members placedin parallel rows, cars running on said track, a device on said cars'having a plurality of conductors, a plurality of groups of adjustingdisks and a movable member for each group controlling said conductors,means for making one conductor in said device effective at a time, andmeans for operating' said movable members in response to said trackmembers.

Ina railway system, 'a track having 'a plurality of members in rows,cars running.

on said track, a device on said cars having a plurality of conductors, aplurality of groups ofad'justing disks and a movable member for eachgroup controlling said conductors, means for establishing the continuityof one of said conductors and means for changing to another conductor,said movable -members being operated by said track members. v

36. In a railway system, a track having a'pluralit-y of members in rows,cars running on said track, a device onsaid cais having a plurality ofconductors, a plurality of groups of adjusting disks, each diskcontrolling one ofv said conductors, movable members responding to saidtrack members :also controlling said conductors, and means forestablishing the continuity of one of said conductors. l

37. In a railway system, a track having a plurality of members in rows,cars running on said track, a device on said cars having a plurality ofconductors, a plurality of groups of adjusting disks placed adj acently,

each disk controlling one of said conductors, movable members respondingto said track members also controlling saidconduc tors, and means, afterthe continuity of' one of` the conductors controlled by one of saidadjusting disks is establihed for arranging said device so that theconductor controlledl by the adjoining disk will be established next.

38. In a railway system, a track, a plurality of fixed members inparallel rows and a responsive device placed at each location on saidtrack, cars running on said track, a

"device on said cars having a plural-ity of conductors, a movable memberoperated a pluvice placed on said track, cars ruiming on said track, adevice on said cars having a plurality of conductors, adjusting disksand a movable member controlling said conductors, said movable memberoperated in response to said 'fixed track members, and means forVoperating said track responsive device by said car device. j

40. In a railway system, a track, a, plurality of fixed members and aresponsive de.- vice placed on said track, cars running von said track,a device on said cars having a plurality of adjustable disks and avmovable member operated. by said fixed track members, and..means forsetting up the conditions in said car device for operating said trackresponsive device.

41. In a. railway system, a track, 'a plu.

rality of fixed members and a responsive de# viceA laced on said trackcars runnin on said track, a device on said carshaving a pluralityof'adjustable disks and a movable member operated by said fixed trackmembers, and means for operating said track responsive device when saidmovable member corresponds with the position of one of. said adjustabledisks.

42. In a railway system, a track, a plurality offixed members on saidtrack, said members spaced to have particular characteristics, aresponsive device also placed on said track, cars running on said track,a device on said cars having a plurality of conductors, a moving memberresponding to the characteristics of said fixed track members andVcontrolling saidvconductors, and means. for operatingA said trackresponsive device by said car device.

43. In arailway system, abtrack, a plurality of fixed members inparallel'rows and a responsive device placed at intervals on said track,cars running on said track, a device on said carshaving a movable memberresponding to the rows .of said fixed track members, and means foroperating said `'track responsive device by said car device one of saidfixed members.

44. In a railway system, a track, a plurality of fixedmembers and laresponsive device placed on said track, cars ruiming on said track, adevice onsaid cars having a plurality 'of adjusting disks in groups and,

through 45. In a railway system, a track, a plutrack members in aparticular row, andA means for operating said track responsive devicefrom said car device.

46. Ina railway system, a track, a plurality of fixed members in spacedrows and a responsive device electrically operated placed on said track,cars running on said track, a device on said cars having a plurality ofconductors, a movable member operated by the members of each row of saidfixed track members and controlling said conductors, and means forestablishing the circuit of said track responsive device by said cardevice.

47. In a railway system, a track, a plurality of xed members and aresponsive device electrically operated placed on said track, carsrunningon said track, a device on said cars having a plurality ofconductors, adjusting disks and a movable member controlling saidconductors, said movable member responding to said fixed track members,and means for establishing the circuit of said track responsive deviceby said car device.

48. In a railway system, a track having a' plurality of switches andswitch operating mechanisms and a plurality of members located near saidswitches, cars running on said track, a device on said cars'coperatively operated by said track members lat each location and meansfor operating said 'switch mechanisms by said device.

saidtrack members, and means for operating said switch mechanisms whenthe position of said movable member corresponds with the position ofsaid adjusting disks.

50. In a railway system,a track having a plurality 0f switchoperatingimechanisms, a plurality of members located nearv saidswitches, cars running onsaid track, a device on said cars having aplurality of adjusting disks in groups, a movable member for each groupoperated by said track members, and means for operating said switchmechanisms by said device.

5l. In a railway system, a track having a plurality `of switch operatingmechanismsfa plurality of members located near said switches, carsrunning on said track, a device on said cars having a plurality ofadjusting disks in groups and a movable member operated by said trackmembers for each group, means for operating said mechamsms in responseto one of saidadjusting disks in each group and to said movable members.

52. In a railway system, a track having a plurality of switch operatingmechanisms, a plurality of members located near said switches, cars.running on'said track, a device on said cars having a pluralityl ofconductors, a plurality of adjusting disks in groups, each4 disk of agroup controlling one of said conductors, a moving member for each groupresponding to said track mem.

bers, and means for operating said switch mechanism when the continuityof one of said conductors is established.

53. In a railway system, a track having a plurality of switch operatingmechanisms, a plurality of members located near said switches, carsrunning on said track, al device on said cars having a plurality ofconductors, a plurality of adjustingJdisks in groups and a movablemember for each group responding to said track members, said adjustingdisks and movable members controlling said conductors in series, andsaid device controlling said switch operating mechanisms. 4

54. In a railwa system, a plurality of tracks having a p urality ofswitch` operating mechanisms, a plurality of members located near saidswitches, cars. running on said tracks, a device on said cars having aplurality of conductors, a plurality of ad-` justing disks and a movingmember controlling said conductors, said moving member operated by saidtrack members, and each of said conductors controlling' the operation ofsaid switch mechanisms on a pary ticular track.

55. In a railway system, a plurality of tracks having a plurality ofswitch operating mechanisms, a plurality of track members for saidswitch mechanisms, cars running on said track, a device on said carshaving a plurality of adjusting disks in groups and a movable member.for each group responding to said track members, and correspondingadjusting disks in each group controlling the operation of said switchmechanisms on a particular track.

56. In a railway system, al plurality of tracks having a plurality ofswitch operating mechanisms, a plurality of track members for saidswitch mechanisms, cars running on said track, a device on said carshaving a plurality of conductors, a plurality of adjusting disks ingroups each controlling one of saidconductors in a group, a

movable member for each group responding to said track members andcontrolling said conductors, and means for operating the switchmechanisms on a particular track l when the continuity of a particularconductor is established.

57. In a railway system, a plurality of .tracks with connectingswitches, mechanisms Operating said switches, cars running on saidtrack, a selector on said cars having a pr'earranged combination, aplurality of members at the same location on said tracks arranged tooperate said selector in accordance with said combination, said selectoroperatin said switch mechanisms.

58. n a railway system, a plurality of tracks with connecting switches,a mechanism operating said switches, cars running on s lid tracks, aselector on said cars having a combination to establish a circuitthrough itself, members on said tracks at the same location arranged tooperate said selector in accordance'with said combination, and Saidcircuit operating said switch mechanism.

59. In a railway system, a plurality of tracks with connecting switches,mechanisms operating said switches, cars running on said tracks, aselector on said cars having a prearranged combination, a plurality ofmembers on said track at the same location arranged to operate saidselector, said selector operating said switch mechanisms only when it isoperated in accordance with said prearranged combination.

60. In a railway system, a pluralityA of tracks with connectingswitches, a mechaber, a row of devices on said tracks in spaced relationarranged to operate said movable member, said selector arranged tooperate said switch mechanisms.

62. In a railway system, a plurality of tracks with connecting switchesand switch mechanisms, cars running on said tracks, a

selector on said cars havingv a plurality of movable members, means onsaid tracks for operating said movable members, and means for affectingthe operation of said switch mechanisms by a correlated movement of saidmovable members.

63. In a railway system, a pluralityl of tracks with connecting switchesand switch mechanisms, cars running on said tracks, Ia lselector on saidcars having a plurality of adjustable disks and a movable member,

means on said tracks for operating said movable member, and means foroperating said switch mechanisms on each track when said movablemembercorresponds with the posi-v particular. adjustable disk Jfor and meansfor operating said switch mecha-Yr nisms when thepositiovnfo--saidvmvable members corresponds with the position of saidadjustable disks.

65.. In arailway system, a plurality of tracks with connecting switches,cars rimning on said tracks, a selector on said cars having a pluralityof adjustable disks and a movable member, means on said tracks foroperating said movable member, means for operating said switches whensaid movable member corresponds with the position of one of saidadjustable disks and mea-ns for changing the effective adjustable disk.

66. In a railway system, a pluralityl of tracks with connectingswitches, each of said switches having particular characteristics, carsrunning on said tracks, a selector on said cars for operating saidswitches, and means on said tracks for operating said selector inaccordance with the characteristic of each switch.

67. In a railway system, a plurality of tracks with connectingswitches,cars'running on said tracks, a selector on said cars for operating saidswitches,`devices on the tracks for operating said selector, and memberson said tracks coperating with a member on said cars for operating saidswitches independently of said selector.

68. In a railway system, a plurality of tracks with connecting switches,cars running on said tracks, a selector on said cars operated from saidtracks and arranged to A operate said switches before said cars passover them and means on said tracks operated by said cars for restoringsaid switches after said cars pass over them.

69. In a railway system a plurality of tracks with connecting switches,cars running on said tracks, a selector on said cars having a pluralityof combinations,` a plurality of means on said tracks at the samelocation arranged to operate said selector, said selectoroperating saidswitches in accordance with said combinations, and means forautomatically changing the effective combination of said selector.

70. In a railway system, a plurality of tracks with connecting switches,lcars running on said tracks, a selector on said cars llO Sweeter? ihaving a plurality of combinations, a plurality of means on said tracksat the saine location having particular characteristics Afor eachswitch, said means arranged'to operate said selector and said selectorarranged i to voperate said switches in accordance with saidcharacteristics.

7l. In a railwayy systeiinj a plurality. of tracksv with connectingswitches, cars running on'said tracks, a selector on said cars operatingsaid switches having a plurality of combinations, one of saidcombinations being eHective at one time, means for.

changing the veffective combination of said selector-by the operationlof said switches as said cars pass from one track to another.

72. In a railway system, a plurality of tracks withv connectingswitches, ca rs running on said tracks, a selector on said carsoperating said 'switches and having a plu-l rality of combinationsarranged in groups, one ofsaid combinations being effective at a time,and means for changing from one effective combination to` anothereffective combination by the'operation of said connecting switch. 73. Arailway system' embodying a plurality 'of tracks withv connectingswitches,

` 4cars running on` said tracks, a device on said cars having aplurality of adjustable members foreach track for routing said cars oversaid switches, and a plurality of means on said-tracks engaged beforepassing a switch for cooperatively operating said device.

74. A 'railway system embodyinga main` track with connecting tracks andswitches,

lfrom said mainltrack toone i ing tracks.,-

` cars running onv said tracks, a selector on said cars, means forautomatically operating said selector, said switches normally set forsaid main track, and said selector selectively operating said switcheswhen diverting a car 75. vA railway system embodying a main track withconnecting tracks and switches,l

cars'running on said tracks, a selector on said cars, means forautomatically operating said selector, means for normally setting saidvswitches for said main 'track and means forV .operating a-particularswitch by said selector when diverting a car` to'one'of said f i 76. Ina railway system, a 55.

connecting tracks.

track with cnnecting tracks and switches, `a mechanism` for operatingsaid switches, cars running r Ion said tracks, a selector on said carsformo- Qmentarily establishing the-conditions for operating 'saidmechanism and means for of said connectmaintaining said conditions untilsaid operation is completed. l

4751' In a. railway system, a track with conc'ently, a plurality ofconductors, each ofl said diskscontrolling an independent conductor,andl a .movable memberresponsive to said track members and controllingsaid conductors.

79. In a railway system, a track having members inspaced relation, carsrunning on said track, a ldevice on -said cars having a plurality 'oflongitudinal conductors, a plurality vo',clisks interrupting saidconductors transversely, and amovable member responsive to said trackmembers and 'controlling said conductors. f

members in spaced relation, cars running on said track, a device on saidcars havingfa plurality of conductors, a plurality of disks in .groupsinterrupting said conductors transversely, a movable member' for eachgroup controlling said conductors, said movable members responsive tosaid track members. i

.'81. In@ a railway4 system, a track having l, l 80. In a railwaysystem, a track havingmembers in spaced relation, cars running on saidtrack, a device oii'said cars having a plurality of conductors, aplurality lof disks placed-adjacently, eachl disk controlling one ofsaid conductors and providing for' the continuity of the otherconductors, and a movable member responsive to said track i memberscontrolling saidconductors.

82. In a railway system, atrack having members4 in spaced relation, carsvrunning on said track., a device on 'said cars having a plurality oflongitudinal conductors, a pluvrality of'disks placed-adjacentlyinterrupting said conductors, each disk controlling a differentconductor, means for making oneof said conductors effective at a time,vand a movable member responsive Vt0 said track members controlling saidconductors. y

MATTHEW H'. LoUeHRIDeE. y

.Witnesses T. E. .LoUGHinDem FLOYD FARRANT.

